Hurrican Earl heads toward the US East Coast

[Bene505]

Looks like we are going to get hit by Earl. Time to refine your hurricane plan.

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My insurance company will reimburse 50% (up to $500) if I take action to mitigate wind (hurricane) damage. Something like getting hauled-out would be covered,

I'm thinking about getting another (and oversized) anchor for a "hunker down" or running for cover, depending on where the cone is in the next couple days. The "hunker down" option will look better if it's not a direct hit, but rather if Earl is off the coast, so I can pick a spot with reduced fetch in the lake.

One thing is for sure, we had some fantastic surfing on the east coast this past weekend. Calm conditions with occasional head-high (and above) swells every 10 minutes. This was due to Daniell that is now out to sea.

Here's another graphic showing both Danielle and Earl.



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So what's your hurricane plan?

Regards,
Brad

[smackdaddy]

That thing's looking pretty nasty dude.

[RTB]

Good luck Bene, and to all you East Coasters! I'll be watching to see what you do, and how it shakes out.

Ralph

[JohnRPollard]

Just a reminder about that cone of uncertainty, especially at days 4-5. This from the NHC discussion:

THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT NHC AVERAGE TRACK FORECAST ERRORS ARE 200 TO 300 MILES AT DAYS 4 AND 5. GIVEN THIS UNCERTAINTY...IT IS TOO SOON TO DETERMINE WHAT PORTION OF THE U.S. EAST COAST MIGHT SEE DIRECT IMPACTS FROM EARL.

Also, the track has recently been trending west.

[DropTop]

My boat is on Long Island Sound (already protected to a large degree by Long Island), docked at a marina behind a Hurricane barrier.

If the storm makes it way towards me, I'll take the main and Bimini off the boat and store them below, and if it looks like it's going to be really bad, I'll get cable and secure the boat to the triple set of pylons at either end of the slip in case any of the dock lines or cleats break.

[JimMcGee]

I'm on the south end of Barnegat Bay and we're pretty exposed. I'll be watching the next day or so. If it looks like we're going to take a hit I'm going to run up Forked River (a local hurricane hole) pull off the sails and canvas, haul out and hope for the best. As someone else said BoatUS will cover half the cost.

That said the local weather chicken littles are still calling for the storm to bounce off another weather system and head out to sea without hitting us. So far the forecast is for a beautiful sailing weekend.

Jim

[sailingdog]

The forecast ATM for Buzzards Bay is good...but Earl definitely needs watching.

[JimMcGee]

The latest forecast is looking better but hurricanes are funny things.

Right now my plan for saturday includes a quiet day sailing and some BBQing. If it looks like Earl is changing paths then on to plan B.



Forecast

Jim

[Bene505]

One of the cones I saw a few moments ago shows a 5% chance of hurricane winds hitting Long Island.

There is a much higher (40% or 45%) probability of tropical storm force winds.



This does bear watching.

Is there a sticky thread on hurricane preparedness steps?

Regards,
Brad

[FarCry]

I'm watching Earl right now, live!!! Boat was stripped of sails yesterday and my hurricane lines with chain were attached to the bases of pilings. The house is shuttered up and the generator has been humming since 6AM when the power went out. So far it's not been that bad but the worst of it is forecast to be here in an hour or so. Friends on the north side say there are large swells pounding. My view is to the south over the harbor and it has looked flat everytime I've been able to see it. Hopefully for the few boats that are still there, conditions and the upcoming wind change won't casue any damage.